Lois Larson
Singapore is open to transit travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China, who hold valid onward air tickets and may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit. However, travellers who intend to clear arrival immigration to enter Singapore or collect tickets/baggage are not considered transit travellers and must meet all necessary public health and entry criteria. Foreigners transiting in Singapore will not require visas if they remain within the transit area of Changi Airport and do not pass through immigration. Those who wish to leave the airport during their layover should ensure they have enough time to go through departures clearance and security, and, if necessary, reclaim and re-check their luggage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transit travellers | Those travelling to another country via Singapore, without clearing Singapore arrival immigration |
| Transit traveller requirements | Holding valid onward air tickets |
| Visa requirements | No visa required if travellers remain within the transit area of Changi Airport (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4) and do not pass through Singapore Immigration |
| Visa-free transit | Travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit |
| Luggage | If checked through to the final destination, no problem. Otherwise, it needs to be reclaimed on arrival and stored |
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What You'll Learn
- Transit travellers from eligible countries can stay in Singapore for up to 96 hours without a visa
- Travellers must fulfil all public health and entry requirements
- Foreigners transiting in Singapore don't need visas if they remain within the airport's transit area
- Travellers must go through security screening before boarding their onward flight
- Luggage must be reclaimed on arrival and stored in paid facilities
Transit travellers from eligible countries can stay in Singapore for up to 96 hours without a visa
If you are a transit traveller from an eligible country, you may be able to leave Changi Airport during your layover in Singapore. Eligible countries include India and the People's Republic of China (PRC). To qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit, you must hold a valid onward air ticket and your entry must be assessed by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the point of entry.
If you are a foreigner transiting in Singapore and remain within the transit area of Changi Airport (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4), you do not need to pass through Singapore Immigration and can stay airside for the duration of your layover without a visa. However, if your airline does not have the necessary transfer facilities, you may be required to pass through Singapore Immigration. In this case, you should obtain a visa prior to travel to avoid any difficulties while transiting in Singapore.
If you are a transit traveller who intends to clear arrival immigration to enter Singapore, or if your booked flight requires you to enter Singapore to collect tickets or baggage and check in again for your connecting flight, you are not considered a transit traveller and will need to meet all necessary public health and entry criteria. Several low-cost carriers require travellers to clear immigration to collect their onward connecting tickets in the Departure Check-In hall. Such travellers should ensure they fulfil all public health and entry requirements found on the "Entering Singapore" page.
If you are planning to leave the airport during your layover, remember to allow enough time to get back to the airport and go through departures clearance. You will need an onward boarding pass, which you can obtain from the transit desk when you arrive before you go through arrivals immigration. Security at Changi Airport happens at the individual gate, so you will need to allow time for this as well. If your luggage is not checked through to your final destination, you will need to reclaim it on arrival and find storage facilities. If you are collecting your luggage in Singapore, remember to be back at the airport in time to check it in again before the cut-off time.
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Travellers must fulfil all public health and entry requirements
To be considered a transit traveller, one must be travelling to another country via Singapore without clearing Singapore arrival immigration. Travellers who intend to clear arrival immigration to enter Singapore is not considered a transit traveller.
To fulfil the public health and entry requirements, travellers must satisfy all health and immigration requirements. This includes submitting a completed electronic Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) before arrival, which is available free of charge. Travellers who fail to submit the SGAC may be denied entry into Singapore. Travellers are also required to present their biometrics (e.g. fingerprints, facial and iris) during immigration clearance and may be denied entry if they fail to comply.
Short-term travellers should have sufficient cash and proof of onward travel (tickets, visas), and ensure that they do not stay beyond their Visit Pass validity. Travellers must also make a Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNI) declaration if they are entering Singapore with a total value of CBNI exceeding S$20,000 or its equivalent in a foreign currency.
Additionally, travellers with recent travel to countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission in the past six days prior to arrival in Singapore must produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. This requirement also applies to travellers who spent more than 12 hours in airport transit in these countries. Travellers should also be aware that bringing personal medication into Singapore may require approval, including during transit.
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Foreigners transiting in Singapore don't need visas if they remain within the airport's transit area
Foreigners transiting in Singapore do not need visas if they remain within the airport's transit area. This applies to Changi Airport's Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4. However, if foreigners need to pass through Singapore Immigration, they may be required to obtain a visa before travelling to avoid any inconvenience or disruption.
It is important to note that transit travellers are defined as those travelling to another country via Singapore without clearing Singapore arrival immigration. Travellers who intend to clear arrival immigration to enter Singapore or have booked flights that require them to collect tickets or baggage and check in again for their connecting flight are not considered transit travellers. Such travellers should ensure they meet all necessary public health and entry requirements.
For those who qualify as transit travellers, it is possible to remain within the airport during a layover. Changi Airport provides various amenities and services to enhance the transit experience, including shopping and dining outlets. Additionally, directional signs are provided to guide passengers to their designated boarding gates for their next flight. Security screening is also required before proceeding to the boarding gate.
However, if foreigners transiting in Singapore wish to leave the airport and enter the country, they may need to fulfil regular immigration requirements. Depending on their passport, they may need a visa to enter Singapore. It is recommended to check with the appropriate authorities to understand the specific requirements for their situation.
To summarise, foreigners transiting in Singapore through Changi Airport can remain within the designated transit area without a visa. Those who need to pass through immigration may require a visa, and those wishing to enter Singapore during their layover will need to comply with the country's entry requirements.
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Travellers must go through security screening before boarding their onward flight
Singapore is open to all transit travellers with no specific regulations or requirements. However, travellers are advised to check with the appropriate authorities of their destination country/region on any requirements they may impose on travellers transiting through Singapore. For example, pre-departure COVID-19 testing services are not available in the transit area of Changi Airport.
Upon arriving at Changi Airport, travellers must follow the directional signs to get to the designated transfer desk area to obtain the boarding pass for their onward flight. It is important to remember that security at Changi Airport happens at the individual gate, not immediately after passport control, so travellers need to allow enough time for security screening before boarding their onward flight.
Security screening is an essential process that helps ensure the safety of air travel. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, for example, employs various measures to screen passengers and their belongings for prohibited items, explosives, and other threats. One such measure is the Secure Flight program, which identifies potential risks by matching passenger information against trusted traveller lists and watchlists. Passengers are encouraged to check for prohibited items and follow guidelines such as the 3-1-1 liquids rule to streamline the screening process.
Additionally, travellers with pets must remove them from their carrying cases and place the cases through the X-ray machine. Animal carriers are subject to visual and/or physical inspections. It is important to contact the airline beforehand to understand their specific policies on travelling with pets.
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Luggage must be reclaimed on arrival and stored in paid facilities
If you are transiting in Singapore and your luggage is not checked through to your final destination, you will need to reclaim it on arrival. As a transit traveller, you are not permitted to clear Singapore arrival immigration. Therefore, you will need to store your luggage in a paid facility within the airport or at a transit hotel.
Changi Airport offers luggage storage services by Smarte Carte, which operate 24/7 across all four terminals. These facilities are primarily designed for travellers on layovers, those checking into transit hotels, or those awaiting hotel check-ins in other parts of Singapore. Luggage storage areas are monitored with CCTV, and all items are inspected prior to storage. Secure locks and restricted access ensure that only authorised personnel from Smarte Carte or Changi Airport handle your belongings.
You can access Smarte Carte's luggage storage services on a walk-in basis without an advance reservation. However, for special requests or large groups, it is advisable to contact the service provider directly to ensure availability. Changi Airport also offers left luggage storage within specific airport lounges, allowing you to store your luggage without leaving the transit area.
If you need long-term storage options or have oversized or irregularly shaped baggage, you may need to make special arrangements with the luggage storage service provider. Additional fees may apply, and it is recommended to inform the baggage storage staff in advance to ensure they can accommodate your needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, travellers can leave Singapore Changi Airport during a layover, but they will be subject to Singapore immigration requirements to re-enter.
Travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China, holding valid onward air tickets, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit. Otherwise, a visa is required.
Arrival formalities are usually quick, but travellers need to allow enough time to go through departures clearance and security screening, which happens at the individual gate.
If your luggage is checked through to your final destination, you don't need to worry about it. Otherwise, you'll need to reclaim it on arrival and find storage facilities.
Travellers who need to collect their onward ticket in the Departure Check-In hall are not considered transit travellers and must fulfil all public health and entry requirements.
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